Geometric structures on loop and path spaces

Is is known that the loop space associated to a Riemannian manifold admits a quasi-symplectic structure. This article shows that this structure is not likely to recover the underlying Riemannian metric by proving a result that is a strong indication of the "almost" independence of the quasi-symplectic structure with respect to the metric. Finally conditions to have contact structures on these spaces are studied.Comment: Final version. To appear in Proceedings of Math. Sci. Indian Academy of Science

Critical wetting of a class of nonequilibrium interfaces: A mean-field picture

A self-consistent mean-field method is used to study critical wetting transitions under nonequilibrium conditions by analyzing Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) interfaces in the presence of a bounding substrate. In the case of positive KPZ nonlinearity a single (Gaussian) regime is found. On the contrary, interfaces corresponding to negative nonlinearities lead to three different regimes of critical behavior for the surface order-parameter: (i) a trivial Gaussian regime, (ii) a weak-fluctuation regime with a trivially located critical point and nontrivial exponents, and (iii) a highly non-trivial strong-fluctuation regime, for which we provide a full solution by finding the zeros of parabolic-cylinder functions. These analytical results are also verified by solving numerically the self-consistent equation in each case. Analogies with and differences from equilibrium critical wetting as well as nonequilibrium complete wetting are also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

On-site tests for the detection of potential induced degradation in modules

This paper presents different test alternatives which can be used on-site in a PV installation to detect potential induced degradation (PID) in modules. The testing procedures proposed are: thermal imaging; electroluminescence imaging; open circuit voltage measurements; operating voltage measurements; IV curve measurements; and dark IV curve measurements. Advantages and disadvantages of each test are reported

X-ray microtomography analysis of the damage micromechanisms in 3D woven composites under low-velocity impact

3D woven composites reinforced with either S2 glass, carbon or a hybrid combination of both and containing either polyethylene or carbon z-yarns were tested under low-velocity impact. Different impact energies (in the range of 21–316 J) were used and the mechanical response (in terms of the impact strength and energy dissipated) was compared with that measured in high-performance, albeit standard, 2D laminates. It was found that the impact strength in both 2D and 3D materials was mainly dependent on the in-plane fiber fracture. Conversely, the energy absorption capability was primarily influenced by the presence of z-yarns, having the 3D composites dissipated over twice the energy than the 2D laminates, irrespective of their individual characteristics (fiber type, compaction degree, porosity, etc.). X-ray microtomography revealed that this improvement was due to the z-yarns, which delayed delamination and maintained the structural integrity of the laminate, promoting energy dissipation by tow splitting, intensive fiber breakage under the tup and formation of a plug by out-of-plane shear

Overview of progress in European medium sized tokamaks towards an integrated plasma-edge/wall solution

Integrating the plasma core performance with an edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) that leads to tolerable heat and particle loads on the wall is a major challenge. The new European medium size tokamak task force (EU-MST) coordinates research on ASDEX Upgrade (AUG), MAST and TCV. This multi-machine approach within EU-MST, covering a wide parameter range, is instrumental to progress in the field, as ITER and DEMO core/pedestal and SOL parameters are not achievable simultaneously in present day devices. A two prong approach is adopted. On the one hand, scenarios with tolerable transient heat and particle loads, including active edge localised mode (ELM) control are developed. On the other hand, divertor solutions including advanced magnetic configurations are studied. Considerable progress has been made on both approaches, in particular in the fields of: ELM control with resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP), small ELM regimes, detachment onset and control, as well as filamentary scrape-off-layer transport. For example full ELM suppression has now been achieved on AUG at low collisionality with n = 2 RMP maintaining good confinement HH(98,y2) 0.95. Advances have been made with respect to detachment onset and control. Studies in advanced divertor configurations (Snowflake, Super-X and X-point target divertor) shed new light on SOL physics. Cross field filamentary transport has been characterised in a wide parameter regime on AUG, MAST and TCV progressing the theoretical and experimental understanding crucial for predicting first wall loads in ITER and DEMO. Conditions in the SOL also play a crucial role for ELM stability and access to small ELM regimes.European Commission (EUROfusion 633053

LiLO: Lightweight and low-bias LiDAR Odometry method based on spherical range image filtering

In unstructured outdoor environments, robotics requires accurate and efficient odometry with low computational time. Existing low-bias LiDAR odometry methods are often computationally expensive. To address this problem, we present a lightweight LiDAR odometry method that converts unorganized point cloud data into a spherical range image (SRI) and filters out surface, edge, and ground features in the image plane. This substantially reduces computation time and the required features for odometry estimation in LOAM-based algorithms. Our odometry estimation method does not rely on global maps or loop closure algorithms, which further reduces computational costs. Experimental results generate a translation and rotation error of 0.86\% and 0.0036{\deg}/m on the KITTI dataset with an average runtime of 78ms. In addition, we tested the method with our data, obtaining an average closed-loop error of 0.8m and a runtime of 27ms over eight loops covering 3.5Km.Comment: This paper is under review at the journal "Autonomous Robots" (Springer

Complicaciones vasculares tras cateterismo cardíaco

Objetivos: Establecer la incidencia de complicaciones vasculares tras un cateterismo cardíaco y determinar los factores que influyen en la aparición de los mismos. Material y métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de los 3723 cateterismos cardíacos realizados en nuestro hospital durante un período de 50 meses. Se recogieron 32 traumatismos vasculares, distribuidos entre pseudoaneurismas, hematomas o hemorragias incoercibles, fístulas arteriovenosas e isquemias agudas por trombosis arterial. Se realizó un analisis estadístico mediante tablas de contingencia (método de Jicuadrado, con corrección de Yates). Resultados: La incidencia anual de traumatismos vasculares se encuentra alrededor del 1 %. La incidencia de traumatismos tras un cateterismo terapéutico es ligeramente superior a la incidencia tras un cateterismo diagnóstico, sin presentar diferencias significativas. La edad media del grupo de pacientes con traumatismo vascular (grupo estudio) es de 64'2 ± 1 '9 años, ligeramente superior a la edad media del grupo sin traumatismo vascular (grupo control) (61 '1 - 0'2 años). En ambos grupos predominaban los varones, pero en el grupo estudio dicho predominio es sensi blemente inferior (p 0'012) . En el grupo estudio la incidencia de pacientes obesos es superior con respecto al grupo control (p 0'024). El abordaje por vía humeral (p 0'03), el diametro de cateter mayor al 8F (p 0'001) Y la anticoagulación tras el cateterismo (p<0'001) son factores favorecedores par la aparición de un traumatismo vascular tras un cateterismo cardíaco

By-catch of cold-water corals from an Experimental Trawl Survey in three seamounts within NAFO Regulatory Area (Divs. 6EFG) during year 2004

By-catch of cold-water corals from a Trawl Experimental Survey developed during 2004 in three NAFO seamounts was examined. Three hauls were carried out over two peaks located in Divs. 6EF. In this area, catches of commercial resources were negligible and by-catch of corals was recorded (degraded pieces of dead Enallopsammia sp and Keratoisis sp and few alive corals like Solenosmilia variabilis, Metallogorgia melanotrichos, Paragorgia johnsoni, etc.), showing some interaction between fishing and vulnerable habitats and that trawl fishing in the area is unfeasible. Ninety-two hauls were carried out over one peak located in Div. 6G, with big catches of alfonsino (Beryx splendens), but only six hauls showing coral records (Enallopsamia rostrata, Solenosmilia variabilis, Madrepora oculata, Acanella eburnea and Placogorgia terceira) and in less quantities in comparison with Divs. 6EF. The low by-catch of corals in the Div. 6G peak could be related with their less rough bottom feature and with the previous alteration of sessile epifauna due to intense fishing activity developed during the last decades of XX Century. The results of the Experimental Survey indicate that the impact of trawling on seamounts could be important and that the closed area agreed in 2007 to protect the bottom habitats of the seamounts within NAFO Regulatory Area (Divs. 6EFG) should be maintained and improved

Myofascial Trigger Points, Pain, Disability, and Sleep Quality in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

[EN] Objective: To investigate the difference in the presence of trigger points (TrPs) between patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) and healthy people, and to determine the relationship of TrPs with the intensity of ongoing pain, disability, and sleep quality. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: The role of TrPs in LBP has not been determined. Patients: Forty-two patients with nonspecific LBP (50% women), aged 23-55 years old, and 42 age- and sex-matched controls participated. Outcome measures: TrPs were bilaterally explored within the quadratus lumborum, iliocostalis lumborum, psoas, piriformis, gluteus minimus, and gluteus medius muscles in a blinded design. TrPs were considered active if the subject recognized the local and referred pain as familiar symptoms, and TrPs were considered latent if the pain was not recognized as a familiar symptom. Pain measures were collected with a numerical pain rate scale, disability was assessed with the Roland-Morris questionnaire, and sleep quality was determined with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: Patients with nonspecific LBP exhibited a greater disability and worse sleep quality than healthy controls (P < 0.001). Patients with nonspecific LBP exhibited a mean of 3.5 ± 2.3 active TrPs. Further, patients with nonspecific LBP showed a greater (P < 0.001) number of latent TrPs (mean: 2.0 ± 1.5) than healthy controls (mean: 1.0 ± 1.5). Active TrPs in the quadratus lumborum, iliocostalis lumborum, and gluteus medius muscles were the most prevalent in patients with nonspecific LBP. A greater number of active TrPs was associated with higher pain intensity (rs = 0.602; P < 0.001) and worse sleep quality (rs = 0.338; P = 0.03). Conclusions: The local and referred pain elicited by active TrPs in the back and hip muscles contributes to pain symptoms in nonspecific LBP. Patients had higher disability and worse sleep quality than controls. The number of active TrPs was associated with pain intensity and sleep quality. It is possible that a complex interaction among these factors is present in patients with nonspecific LBP